The Battle of Queenston Heights 200th Reenactment Photos.

Hello all,
I have just finished uploading my photos from the 200th anniversary reenactment of the Battle of Queenston Heights. This reenactment featured nearly 1000 reenactors and was held on the actual battleground. This was by far the largest War of 1812 reenactment that I have ever witnessed! Around 15,000 spectators came out to see this reenactment. Taking these numbers into account, I think it’s safe to say that this event was very successful.  Personally, I’m looking forward to attending a lot more War of 1812 reenactments over the next couple of years.  Thanks to all the volunteers and reenactors who made this event possible. Here's the Gallery: Link

 

General Brock leads his troops just before being fatally wounded

See my full gallery here: Queenston Heights 200^th Reenactment Gallery

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Battle of Antietam 150th Reenactment Photos

Below are links to the photos that I took a few weeks ago at the 150^th Battle of Antietam commemorative reenactment. Unlike, the Second Manassas reenactment that I attended last month this event was well worth the trip down from New York State. The reenactment was run by the same origination that puts on the annual Gettysburg reenactment. Like the annual Gettysburg event, the Antietam reenactment was very well organized. I estimate that there were between 6000 and 7000 reenactors and 65 artillery pieces. The reenactors were kept to historical proportions so there were approximately twice as many Union troops on the field. Several props were built, like The Dunker Church, and Burnsides Bridge to help enhance the reenactment. Also, Light pyrotechnics were used to simulate Artillery fire. There was also more Suttlers than I’ve seen at any other event (except for possibly Gettysburg). Many of whom were selling quality items.

From what I heard there seems to be plans to run this reenactment again next year. If this is the case I’m somewhat skeptical that the event will get the same reenactor and spectator turnout as this year’s event. I for one will be on the road heading to Chickamauga.

I want to thank all the reenactors and volunteers who made this event possible.

Now on to the photos:

 

                      The Dunker Church

The Bloody Lane

Burnsides Bridge & the Final Attack

150th Battle of 2nd Manassas/ Bull Run Reenactment Photo Gallery

Over the weekend, I traveled down to Cedar Creek Battlefield in Middletown, Virginia for the 150th commemorative Reenactment of the Battle of 2nd Manassas/ Bull Run. For me, the highlight of this event was the Friday evening recreation of the Battle of Brawner’s Farm. The setting sun with the Blue Ridge Mountains made a great background for the reenactment. Saturday’s reenactment was a recreation of the Union’s assault on the unfinished railroad. The reenactors seem to be really having a lot of fun during the battle recreations, and the commanders did a very good job to make sure that the battles did not stray too far from the spectators. However, I do feel that the reenactor turnout was on the low side. I was expecting to see about the same numbers that attended the 145th 1st Bull Run reenactment held at Cedar Creek in 2006. I estimate that there were between 1,000 and 2,000 total reenactors present. Unfortunately, I feel that the low reenactor turnout did not make the 6 hour drive to Virginia worthwhile. I have my fingers crossed that next month’s Antietam reenactment will be larger. We will see.

Thanks to all the reenactors and the Cedar Creek staff who made this event possible.

Galleries

The Battle of Brawner’s Farm

 

Attack on the Railroad Cut

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Battle of 1st Bull Run 150th Reenactment Photos

Over the weekend I traveled down to Prince William County, Virginia for the 150^th Battle of 1^st Bull Run reenactment. Let me start off by saying it was HOT! On Friday I visited the battlefield and the temperature was 106 with a heat index of 120 degrees.  Needless to say I did not spend much time on the battlefield.

On Saturday I attended the reenactment. Before the reenactment started I visited the Union camp and I was able to meet up with the reenactors who were portraying the 1^st Minnesota Volunteers. This was my Great-Great-Great Grandfathers regiment and I’ve wanted to meet up with them for a while now. I had a nice conversation with a sergeant from company D (The Lincoln Guards). I look forward to meeting up with them again at future events (maybe Ball’s Bluff in the fall).

Some of the 1st Minnesota Volunteers drill before the battle.

The reenactment began at 9:30 and ended around 12:00. Overall I thought that the chorography was very similar to 145^th reenactment that was held at Cedar Creek Battlefield. The thing that set this reenactment apart was the Uniforms. This was not a battle between the blue and gray. Among other things many units were wearing red shirts and/or Haverlocks. It was reported that over 8000 reenactors were on the field of battle and this made for a great spectacle.

I would like to thank Prince William County for putting on a well organized and enjoyable event. I also thank all the reenactors, sutlers, venders, bus driver, police and volunteers.

Now on to the photos. This gallery consists of around 300 photos. I was concerned about load times so I put them onto two pages. The first page is the fight for Matthews Hill and the second is the battle for Henry House Hill. I also took some video that I may post at a latter date.

Enjoy
Bryan

The Battle of 1^st Bull Run Reenactment Gallery

The Conquest of Fort Niagara 250th Anniversary Gallery

On Fourth of July weekend 2009 Old Fort Niagara commemorated the 250^th anniversary of the siege and fall of the fort. This event featured a wide varirty of French and Indian War related activities including reenactments. Over 2,500 reenactors came together from the U.S. and Canada to recreate the events leading up to the fall of Fort Niagara. The highlight of the weekend was the real time recreation of the battle of La Belle Famille and the final assault on the fort. Throughout the week I attended several of these recreations and took many photographs.

Select a Gallery

1) Battle on the Beach

2) First Bombardment

3) Battle of La Belle Famille

4) The Final Assault